The Society of Environmental Journalists hosted a McCormick Specialized Reporting Institute (SRI) on Shale Gas and Oil Development, June 22-24, 2014 in Pittsburgh, PA, to help journalists understand the legal, scientific, health and economic issues surrounding shale gas and oil development, and give them the context needed so that they can better inform their communities about these important topics. Funding for the SRI was provided by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, which covered fellows' transportation, housing, food and tuition costs. Below are resources resulting from that event and more.

North Dakota Dept. of Mineral Resources – because of location, Lynn Helms, the state’s director of Mineral Resources is the top regulator in the Bakken Shale play. Media Contact: Alison Ritter; amritter@nd.gov; (701) 328-8036

North Carolina’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources – The state legislature recently passed a law intended to jump-start oil and gas drilling in the state. Media Contact: Jamie Kritzer; Jamie.Kritzer@ncdenr.gov; (919) 707-8602

Ohio’s Department of Natural resources – Ohio’s Oil and Gas Division chief, Rick Simmers, has opened a conversation with other states about how best to regulate earthquakes related to water and gas disposal. Media Contact: Bethany McCorkle; Bethany.McCorkle@dnr.state.oh.us

Jason Hutt; Attorney, Bracewell and Giuliani; knowledgeable about the national legal landscape, as well as state and local issues associated with the Marcellus, Eagle Ford and Bakken plays; jason.hutt@bgllp.com; (202) 828-5850

Anthony R. Ingraffea; Dwight C. Baum Professor of Engineering, Cornell University; expert in modeling and testing of complex fracturing processes; one of the developers of the modern fracking techniques used today; ari1@cornell.edu; (607) 255-3336